To improve the livelihood of rural smallholder farmers and their families in Bauchi State, the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATN Foundation), has flagged off a poultry project to support 300 rural and vulnerable women in Bauchi State.
This initiative, which focused on poultry production, aims to generate income, promote gender equality and combat poverty in vulnerable communities.
To actualise the programme, the BATN Foundation partnered with key stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, which assisted in beneficiary selection and ensured project alignment with national agricultural priorities, and the Bauchi State ADP office, which provided local expertise and streamlined beneficiary selection through their established networks.
Other partners include Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Limited, which supplied the high-quality noiler birds and offered technical support to women, ensuring project longevity, and Eco-Lead Imperial Engineering & Global Services Ltd, which implemented the project, managing all activities from beneficiary selection to training and inputs distribution.
The BATN Foundation, in a statement noted that the 300 female beneficiaries were selected across seven local government areas in the state, including Bauchi, Shira, Tafawa Balewa, Alkaleri, Warji, Ganjuwa, Toro.
Each beneficiary received a carefully curated package, including 20 noiler birds, one bag of 25kg specially formulated feed and one 100g sachet of essential vitamins for poultry production.
In addition, beneficiaries were also equipped with adequate training and sensitisation to ensure best practices in poultry production.
Noilers were selected because of their hardy and dual purpose to produce both eggs and meat.
The Commissioner for Agriculture in Bauchi State, Professor Simon Madugu Yalams, at the flag-off ceremony expressed gratitude to the British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation for choosing the state to benefit from the initiative.
He commended the tireless efforts of everyone involved in bringing the project to fruition.
In his address, the commissioner emphasised the commitment of the Bauchi State Government, through his ministry, to sustain the project with an innovative approach that complements and supports the beneficiaries, ensuring long-term success. He urged beneficiaries to utilise the support effectively, and appealed for more gestures from individuals and corporate organisations.
The general manager of the BATNF, Mr Oludare Odusanya, represented by Sadiq Abdullahi Waziri, an engineer, underscored the foundation’s dedication to enhancing the wellbeing of rural farmers.
He disclosed that over N5billion had been invested in farmers through strategically designed impactful projects since the foundation’s establishment in 2002.
Dr Umar Abdullahi Maina, speaking on behalf of Eco-Lead Global Services, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration received from the Bauchi State Government through the BSADP.
He urged beneficiaries to prioritise appropriate biosecurity measures and ensure adequate feeding of their birds as essential steps in safeguarding their livelihoods.
Maina called on extension agents from the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Project (BSADP) and the ministry to continue offering steadfast support in providing routine extension services for the beneficiaries.
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